Tamiment Lake eyed for Pocono Ironman swim

Saturday

Mar 3, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Organizers of the Ironman 70.3 Pocono Mountains are proposing to move the swim portion of the triathlon to Tamiment Lake in Bushkill. The swim portion of the race caused confusion in October 2011, the first running of the event.

MICHAEL SADOWSKI

Organizers of the Ironman 70.3 Pocono Mountains are proposing to move the swim portion of the triathlon to Tamiment Lake in Bushkill.

The swim portion of the race caused confusion in October 2011, the first running of the event.

The swim was scheduled for the Delaware River at Smithfield Beach in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

But race officials decided to cancel the 1.2-mile swim after heavy rains in September cause dangerous river levels and currents.

"Just in case we get the rains we got last year, we want to try and get out of the river and into a lake," said Barb McKeever, race director of the local competition.

"That's our goal."

Race officials last year stuck with just the bike and run portions of the race, which drew about 2,000 competitors.

Even if the swim hadn't been canceled, McKeever said the course likely would have been altered to clear up any issues the first running may have revealed.

"It's not uncommon for an Ironman course to be changed. We're always looking for ways to make it a great experience and a safe race. "

She would not disclose the other proposed changes, some of which will need Pennsylvania Department of Transportation approvals since part of it would be on PennDOT roads.

McKeever said Wednesday she planned to submit the plans this week, but PennDOT spokesman Ron Young said Friday the plans hadn't yet been received.

Once the plans are received, if there are no changes to be made, approval could come within a month, Young said.

Young said PennDOT and race officials met Feb. 15 to discuss this year's race, which will be held Sept. 30.